The Boston Redsox Thread

BigBambino · 10-25-2006, 01:24 PM

Whats the biggest gap for the sox to fill? Well, its got to be a good 5th hitter. Some say pitching, but he was Lester, Schill, Papelbon and hopefully a settled down bekett going into next season. Id be more concerned with scoring runs..

1998 Yankees · 10-25-2006, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBambino

Whats the biggest gap for the sox to fill?

Oh, I'd say about 11 games.

(J/K, don't get bent out of shape.

It's just that I've been taking a beating here and I wanted to share the misery a bit.)

BigBambino · 10-25-2006, 02:02 PM

Is cool lol And you should take a beating... you tried to buy a championship and failed.. again

just teasing

QuestGAV · 10-25-2006, 02:28 PM

I think Wily Mo Pena is the most likely suspect for the #5 hole in the Sox lineup next year. I think it will be tough for the Sox to significantly upgrade their run scoring capability for next year. Maybe if the Orioles are willing to dump Tejada cheaply (to a division rival). Even then, that's a pretty big step down defensively. They really need to pick up someone who can step in if Varitek continues to suck. Everywhere else, they're more or less above average offensively so improvements are not easy or cheap to come by.

Pitching is always more difficult to come by of course. I think the price for Zito is going to be too rich for what you get. Pitchers are just too big of a risk to make long-term commitments to for $20Mish per year. I'd like to see them take a step down from that and take a look at Jason Schmidt. If they can get him on a two year deal for $12-13M per then I think that's a giant upgrade. Schmidt is obviously a bigger injury risk, but with a lower commitment I think it's the smarter way to go. I'm not sold on throwing cash at Matsuzaka, though I know others who are high on him. The risk is too high, and at that price the reward is too low, IMO.

I think Tavarez' emergence and the continued development of Hansen will leave the middle of the bullpen pretty solid. But who do you slot in as your closer? I have a hunch Theo will do something creative to fill that hole.

TheCartel · 10-25-2006, 02:51 PM

My feeling is that they have a good enough team as stands now to win, by a landslide. However, the key ingredient to that, is keeping a rather old team healthy for a full season, and building that great BoSox chemistry that they've been known to have the past couple season prior.

I really like the Schmidt idea, that would bode very, very well

andjbock · 10-25-2006, 02:54 PM

I think resigning Gonzalez is important. Their defense needs to remain a priority since it only helps the pitching staff and allows the lineup to be less productive.

mikev · 10-25-2006, 02:55 PM

Who will be the annual "Dump Manny" rumors be about this year?

1998 Yankees · 10-25-2006, 04:02 PM

Take it from your enemy, who can be the most honest man you know.

After Schilling, we don't fear your pitching, not even Beckett. You need to shore up your staff, even if you do make a starter out of Papelbon.

We got the same problem down here, brother.

TheCartel · 10-25-2006, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1998 Yankees

Take it from your enemy, who can be the most honest man you know.

After Schilling, we don't fear your pitching, not even Beckett. You need to shore up your staff, even if you do make a starter out of Papelbon.

We got the same problem down here, brother.

Its that fear of Beckett that won you the '03 WS my friend

BigBambino · 10-25-2006, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1998 Yankees

Take it from your enemy, who can be the most honest man you know.

After Schilling, we don't fear your pitching, not even Beckett. You need to shore up your staff, even if you do make a starter out of Papelbon.

We got the same problem down here, brother.

I know that Boston needs to shore up theyre pitching rotation even with Papelbon. But its a catch 22. Do we need a power/run producing hitting more thena #4? Do they cancel each other out? Who knows, but as a personal preference i think we should go and shore up the middle opf the lineup then maybe grab a middle of the road pitcher to gapo the bottom of the rotation.

1998 Yankees · 10-26-2006, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCartel

Its that fear of Beckett that won you the '03 WS my friend

If not sarcasm, not sure what you mean since we lost that WS primarily due to Beckett. One thing is for sure, however. Maybe it's just one bad year, due perhaps to the switch from NL to AL, but Beckett was not the pitcher in Boston that he was in Florida. Will be interesting to see how he does in 2007.

RBLwebguy · 10-26-2006, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuestGAV

They really need to pick up someone who can step in if Varitek continues to suck.

Tek brings more to the team than hitting. He is a great leader and is a big reason why the pitching staff does well. When he went down, the staff didn't do as well. He calls a good game.

1998 Yankees · 10-26-2006, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBambino

I know that Boston needs to shore up theyre pitching rotation even with Papelbon. But its a catch 22. Do we need a power/run producing hitting more thena #4? Do they cancel each other out? Who knows, but as a personal preference i think we should go and shore up the middle opf the lineup then maybe grab a middle of the road pitcher to gapo the bottom of the rotation.

I'm looking at your team, position by position (and I'm assuming no FA departures this offseason):

C - Varitek had a down year with the bat in an otherwise great career (wasn't he injured this year?). Plus, he brings a lot to the table in intangibles, so C is not a problem for you.
1B - Is that Youkilis? I can't recall who else plays 1B for the Sox. OK, not bad with the bat and seems pretty fair with the glove. Could be improved but not a priority.
2B - Loretta, I would love this guy if I were a BoSox fan. Getting a bit old, however, but not showing signs of it yet.
SS - Gonzalez, decent bat for a SS makes up for his less than spectacular fielding. Still, this position could be improved.
3B - We used to have Lowell, did you know that? The way I'm feeling about A-Rod just now, I would trade him straight up for Lowell and throw in some of Steinbrenner's cash to cover the difference in contracts.
LF - You'd better stand on your head if you have to in order to keep Ramirez in Boston.
CF - Ah, Coco Crisp. Yes, he had a couple of decent years in Cleveland, but basically you have a utility outfielder starting in CF. What a come down from Johnny Damon. Definitely an upgrade possibility.
RF - Nixon here, I think, not Kapler? Either way, you could do with a better RF in terms of power and RBI's.
CF/RF - Hmmm. Forgot about Wily Mo. This guy takes Crisp's or Nixon's job next year if he has not already.
DH - Steinbrenner still is steaming about not getting Ortiz when we had the chance.

OK, so we have 1B, SS, CF and/or RF as positions you need to look at. Now let's look at your pitching staff.

Schilling is about to turn 40, but let's say he has another great year or two left. Let's also say that Beckett turns around in 2007, and Papelbon becomes a good #3 starter. Who is #4 and #5? You mention Lester; isn't he the guy with lymphoma? Clement never was very good anyway and he's coming back from shoulder surgery; he had a couple of decent years ERA-wise with the Cubs but his W/L record those years was nothing to get excited about. Take a look at Tavarez's career stats - he's always been much better as a relief pitcher than a starter. Who's left, Wakefield, 40 and surviving on his knuckleball, inconsistent and mediocre?

Now, let's say at least one of my assumptions in the first three sentences of the last paragraph turn out to be bad. Now you have only two or three dependable starters in your rotation. IMO, it's your pitching staff that needs attention. Your starting rotation is short and your bullpen, in which only the names of middle-of-the-road Foulke and Timlin (who is your closer?) stand out, is as big a problem.

Your priority should be pitching. If you come across an upgrade at 1B, SS, and either of CF or RF, fine, but go for better pitchers in 2007.

Now, feel free to ignore my advice. Make no changes! As TheCartel says, your team is good enough to win by a landslide (hee, hee).

BigBambino · 10-26-2006, 11:58 AM

this sox team will be drastically different by spring training. I think alot of new faces will be in town. Also, look for a emergence from Carlos Pena and Wily Mo Pena.

Joshv02 · 10-26-2006, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1998 Yankees

3B - We used to have Lowell, did you know that? The way I'm feeling about A-Rod just now, I would trade him straight up for Lowell and throw in some of Steinbrenner's cash to cover the difference in contracts.

You post and I'll confirm.

Joshv02 · 10-26-2006, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBambino

Also, look for a emergence from Carlos Pena

I'd be surprised if he is on the 40 man roster, let alone the 25 man.

Lastplaneout · 10-26-2006, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuestGAV

I think Tavarez' emergence and the continued development of Hansen will leave the middle of the bullpen pretty solid. But who do you slot in as your closer? I have a hunch Theo will do something creative to fill that hole.

Some sportswriter (I can't remember who it was) speculated that they might try converting a starter to closer. Clement and Lilly were mentioned as possibilities. I actually don't think that it's a horrible idea.

Lastplaneout · 10-26-2006, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1998 Yankees

SS - Gonzalez, decent bat for a SS makes up for his less than spectacular fielding. Still, this position could be improved.

Are you sure that you don't have this reversed. Gonzalez generally looked GG caliber last year (or maybe second to Jeter

).

He hit better than expected, but I wouldn't count on it happening again.

Lastplaneout · 10-26-2006, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshv02

I'd be surprised if he is on the 40 man roster, let alone the 25 man.

I thought that he elected to become a free agent.

Joshv02 · 10-26-2006, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lastplaneout

I thought that he elected to become a free agent.

He did. I don't think he'll get a Major League deal with anyone. He might, but it seems unlikely.

Choi also elected to be a FA, iirc.

10-25-2006, 01:24 PM	#1
BigBambino All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: Auburn, ME Posts: 1,315	The Boston Redsox Thread Whats the biggest gap for the sox to fill? Well, its got to be a good 5th hitter. Some say pitching, but he was Lester, Schill, Papelbon and hopefully a settled down bekett going into next season. Id be more concerned with scoring runs..

10-25-2006, 02:55 PM	#7
mikev Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 4,014	Who will be the annual "Dump Manny" rumors be about this year? __________________ Global Unified Baseball Association - Vice Commish and Oakland Oaks GM

10-25-2006, 02:02 PM	#3
BigBambino All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: Auburn, ME Posts: 1,315	Is cool lol And you should take a beating... you tried to buy a championship and failed.. again just teasing

10-25-2006, 02:28 PM	#4
QuestGAV Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,008	I think Wily Mo Pena is the most likely suspect for the #5 hole in the Sox lineup next year. I think it will be tough for the Sox to significantly upgrade their run scoring capability for next year. Maybe if the Orioles are willing to dump Tejada cheaply (to a division rival). Even then, that's a pretty big step down defensively. They really need to pick up someone who can step in if Varitek continues to suck. Everywhere else, they're more or less above average offensively so improvements are not easy or cheap to come by. Pitching is always more difficult to come by of course. I think the price for Zito is going to be too rich for what you get. Pitchers are just too big of a risk to make long-term commitments to for $20Mish per year. I'd like to see them take a step down from that and take a look at Jason Schmidt. If they can get him on a two year deal for $12-13M per then I think that's a giant upgrade. Schmidt is obviously a bigger injury risk, but with a lower commitment I think it's the smarter way to go. I'm not sold on throwing cash at Matsuzaka, though I know others who are high on him. The risk is too high, and at that price the reward is too low, IMO. I think Tavarez' emergence and the continued development of Hansen will leave the middle of the bullpen pretty solid. But who do you slot in as your closer? I have a hunch Theo will do something creative to fill that hole.

10-25-2006, 02:51 PM	#5
TheCartel Minors (Single A) Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 59	My feeling is that they have a good enough team as stands now to win, by a landslide. However, the key ingredient to that, is keeping a rather old team healthy for a full season, and building that great BoSox chemistry that they've been known to have the past couple season prior. I really like the Schmidt idea, that would bode very, very well

10-25-2006, 02:54 PM	#6
andjbock Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Somerville, MA, USA Bats: Right Throws: Left Posts: 3,637	I think resigning Gonzalez is important. Their defense needs to remain a priority since it only helps the pitching staff and allows the lineup to be less productive.

10-25-2006, 04:02 PM	#8
1998 Yankees Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Yankee Stadium, back in 1998. Posts: 8,645	Take it from your enemy, who can be the most honest man you know. After Schilling, we don't fear your pitching, not even Beckett. You need to shore up your staff, even if you do make a starter out of Papelbon. We got the same problem down here, brother.

10-26-2006, 11:58 AM	#14
BigBambino All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: Auburn, ME Posts: 1,315	this sox team will be drastically different by spring training. I think alot of new faces will be in town. Also, look for a emergence from Carlos Pena and Wily Mo Pena.